Fats, oils, and grease are estimated to cause 47% of sewer blockages in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.1 The kitchen sink may seem like a convenient catch-all for food scraps and cooking byproducts, but putting the wrong items down the drain can lead to costly clogs, plumbing problems, and even environmental damage.
To keep your pipes flowing smoothly and avoid unnecessary repairs, it’s crucial to be mindful of what you’re rinsing away. Here are 15 common household items that should never find their way into your kitchen sink.
1. Grease & Cooking Oil
One of the biggest culprits of clogged drains is grease and cooking oil. When hot, it may seem harmless as it easily slides down the drain. But as it cools, the grease and oil congeal and stick to your pipes, building up over time.
The best way to dispose of grease or oil is to let it cool completely and then scrape it into the trash. For small amounts, you can wipe pans clean with a paper towel before washing. If you do accidentally let some oil go down the drain, flush immediately with very hot water to keep it from solidifying.
2. Coffee Grounds
They may seem small and innocuous, but coffee grounds can wreak havoc on your plumbing. When coffee grounds mix with oil or grease already coating your pipes, they can form a thick sludge that leads to serious blockages.
Instead of pouring them down the sink, consider adding used coffee grounds to your compost pile or garden. They make an excellent natural fertilizer. You can also re-use them as a body scrub or to absorb odors in your fridge.
3. Eggshells
There’s a persistent myth that eggshells can actually sharpen your garbage disposal blades, but this simply isn’t true. The thin membrane on the inside of the shell can easily wrap around the disposal, while the hard shell can be ground into tiny shards that stick to the sides of your pipes.
The best place for eggshells is in the compost bin. If you don’t compost, just throw them in the trash. And be sure to never put large quantities down the drain at once, even if you’re feeding them in gradually.
4. Starchy Foods
Starchy foods like rice, pasta, oatmeal, and beans expand when introduced to water, making them a common source of kitchen clogs. Even if they make it past your pipes, the starch can congeal once it hits the cold water in the sewer system, contributing to blockages.
Scrape plates well to remove any leftover starch before rinsing. Small amounts that make it down the drain should be flushed with plenty of water. Larger quantities of starchy food waste should go in the trash or compost.
5. Flour
Much like starchy foods, flour expands and thickens when mixed with water. Pouring even a small amount of flour down the drain can create a thick, sticky paste that coats the inside of your pipes.
Wipe up any flour spills with a cloth or paper towel and dispose of it in the trash. If you do accidentally get flour in the sink, flush it with plenty of hot water to dissolve it before it has a chance to settle and congeal.
6. Produce Stickers
Those little stickers on fruits and veggies may seem harmless, but they don’t belong in the sink. The stickers are usually made of plastic or vinyl and don’t break down easily. They can stick to the inside of pipes, contributing to clogs over time.
Always remove stickers from produce before washing. If one accidentally slips down the drain, don’t panic – just try to fish it out if you can see it. One or two stickers likely won’t cause any major issues.
7. Paint
From rinsing out brushes to pouring leftover paint down the drain, the sink seems like a convenient way to clean up after a project. But paint can seriously damage your plumbing and contaminate waterways.
Water-based paint should be dried out completely, then disposed of in the trash. For oil-based paints, check with your local waste management company for guidelines, as they usually need to be taken to a designated site for hazardous waste.
8. Medications
While it may seem like flushing unused medications is the responsible thing to do, those drugs can end up in the water supply. Most water treatment plants aren’t equipped to filter out pharmaceuticals.
The FDA recommends disposing of most medications in the household trash. Remove them from packaging, mix with an undesirable substance like dirt or cat litter, seal in a bag, and throw away. You can also check if your pharmacy or municipal office has a take-back program.
9. Cleaning Products
Just because it cleans your house doesn’t mean it’s good for your pipes. Many household cleaners contain harsh chemicals that can eat away at plumbing and contaminate waterways.
Use cleaning products sparingly and avoid pouring any leftover product down the drain when possible. Check the label for disposal instructions, as some chemicals may need to be taken to a hazardous waste facility.
10. Automotive Fluids
Hopefully it goes without saying that things like motor oil and antifreeze don’t belong in the kitchen sink. But it bears repeating, as these chemicals are highly toxic and can seriously damage your plumbing.
If you need to dispose of any automotive fluids, take them to a designated facility for hazardous waste. Most auto parts stores will also accept used motor oil for recycling.
11. Condoms, Wrappers, & Other Trash
It can be tempting to flush small bits of trash down the drain rather than walk them to the garbage can. But even things like condom wrappers, straw papers, and product packaging can accumulate and cause blockages in pipes.
Get in the habit of throwing all trash, even small items, in the wastebasket or recycling bin. Keep a small trash can in the bathroom too so you’re not tempted to use the toilet or sink for disposal.
12. Hair
Hair is one of the most common causes of shower and bathroom sink clogs. When it washes down the drain, it can easily get tangled around other debris and create a blockage.
Prevent hair from going down the drain by using a mesh screen or drain cover. If you notice your drain is running slowly, you may need to snake it, plunge it, or use a drain cleaning solution to remove any hair clogs.
13. Cotton Balls & Swabs
Cotton may seem like it would break down easily, but it doesn’t. Cotton balls, swabs, and even cotton rounds can gather in bends in the pipe, causing blockages over time.
Always throw cotton products in the trash, never in the toilet or down the sink. If you need to dispose of something with a lot of liquid, like nail polish remover, pour the liquid in the trash and then throw away the cotton.
14. Cigarette Butts
Cigarettes contain all kinds of toxic chemicals that you don’t want in the water supply. But beyond that, the filters are made of a type of plastic that doesn’t degrade easily.
If you do smoke, dispose of cigarette butts in the trash, never down a sink or toilet. Throwing them on the ground is littering and can allow the chemicals to leach into waterways, so always use a proper receptacle.
15. Kitty Litter
Even if the package says “flushable”, kitty litter doesn’t belong in your plumbing. The sand and clay can accumulate in pipes, causing serious clogs and damage over time.
Dispose of all kitty litter, even natural or biodegradable types, in the trash. If you’re concerned about odors, scoop frequently and keep the litter box in a well-ventilated area away from the kitchen.
The best way to keep your kitchen sink draining smoothly is to be mindful of what you’re putting down it. Stick to only washing things like dishes, cups, and silverware. Everything else is better off in the trash or compost bin. By following these guidelines, you can avoid costly plumbing repairs and do your part to protect the environment.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.